On the eve of the new football season, BBC Radio Sheffield’s football magazine show returns

I’m pretty excited about the new football season. And I’m also greatly anticipating the return of BBC Radio Sheffield’s weeknight Football Heaven radio phone-in show from Monday, with a special programme live from Sheffield Hallam University.

The football magazine show takes place 6-7pm Monday to Friday, plus there is an extended phone-in on Saturdays after the results are in. It basically continues the Praise or grumble concept invented all those years ago by the legendary local sports broadcaster Robert Jackson, who is now retired.

If you’re like me then when the team I support loses, I opt for a football media blackout the day after, choosing to ignore the goals on TV and shunning the match reports. However, come Monday night I’ll be coming back for more and tuning in to Football Heaven, looking forward to the next fixture with the bleak optimism that 3 points can be bagged.

Of course the quality of the show is influenced by the quality of the callers, but luckily there are some entertaining regulars who can usually be relied up to make it a worthwhile listen.

Hosts Seth Bennett or Andy Giddings play devil’s advocate as much as they are able to on the weeknight show. If Seth is presenting then don’t be fooled by his affable and warm radio manner: wait until you hear one of his probing interviews with chairmen of local clubs and supporters groups, as they can be radio dynamite.

And if you are out then you can catch up with the show after it has been broadcast each night using the BBC’s iPlayer. That said, a Football Heaven podcast would also be a great way to consume the show…

Monday’s edition is being transmitted live from Sheffield Hallam University in front of a studio audience.